1 last-ditch | Definition of last-ditch

last-ditch

adjective
\ ˈlas(t)-ˌdich How to pronounce last-ditch (audio) , -ˈdich\

Definition of last-ditch

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : fought or conducted from the last ditch : waged with desperation or unyielding defiance put up a last-ditch resistance
2 : made as a final effort especially to avert disaster a last-ditch attempt to raise the money

last ditch

noun

Definition of last ditch (Entry 2 of 2)

: a place of final defense or resort

Examples of last-ditch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Juan Mata scored a last ditch penalty as Manchester United edged out Kristiansund in their penultimate pre-season friendly in Oslo on Tuesday. SI.com, "Kristiansund 0-1 Manchester United: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Juan Mata Scores Late Winner," 30 July 2019 Seth Hurwitz was on a bike trip riding across Europe when news of his last ditch effort to save the long-suffering Woodstock 50 festival had leaked out. Dave Brooks, Billboard, "Inside the Final Days of Woodstock 50," 31 July 2019 Worse, when the stains finally were tested in 2008 - part of a last ditch appeal by Henning and Birch - the result showed they weren’t made by blood at all, but some inorganic substance. Edmund H. Mahony, courant.com, "More than three decades later, troubling questions and contradictions remain about two murder convictions and the role of forensic scientist Henry Lee," 23 July 2019 The announcement from Iran came despite a last ditch effort by French President Emmanuel Macron to salvage the agreement. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, "Iran to breach uranium enrichment limits set by landmark nuclear deal," 7 July 2019 Atlético Madrid star Antoine Griezmann has reportedly turned down a last ditch offer to join Manchester United, snubbing a move to Old Trafford in a favour an £88m move to Catalan giants Barcelona. SI.com, "Atlético Madrid Talisman 'Turns Down' Man Utd & Ready to Seal £88m Barcelona Switch," 1 Apr. 2018 But for as long as Ronaldo isn't a Juventus player, former club United are said to be ready to make their own last ditch attempt to tempt the five-time Ballon d'Or winner back to Manchester. SI.com, "Man Utd Consider Attempt to Beat Juventus to €100m Ronaldo Deal as Real Madrid Exit Looms," 6 July 2018 Sweden did have a few nervous moments - not least when Andreas Granqvist had to make a last ditch clearance in the 80th minute - but the Swiss rarely looked like scoring. SI.com, "Sweden 1-0 Switzerland: Unlucky Deflection Breaks Swiss Hearts in Drab World Cup Last 16 Clash," 3 July 2018 Reisner's last ditch treatment—a series of 19 bone marrow transplants—informs the principle of the StemRad waistband that would make such operations unnecessary. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Belt That Protects Against Gamma Radiation," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'last-ditch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of last-ditch

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for last-ditch

last-ditch

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of last-ditch

: made as a final effort to keep something bad from happening

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Spanish Central: Translation of last-ditch